- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: Headline Review (18 Feb 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0755328205
- ISBN-13: 978-0755328208
- Product Dimensions: 13.9 x 3.5 x 22.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 98,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Take A Chance On Me
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Although our shelves are groaning with chick-lit, Jill Mansell is in a different league. And you'll fall in love with the characters in this lovely tale'
(Sun )'This is a warm, witty and romantic read that you won't be able to put down'
(Daily Mail )'The perfect pick-me-up. Utter indulgence'
(News of the World )Product Description
A sweet, funny and romantic novel from the Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller
Cleo Quinn doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will's come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing's Hill and tormenting her as if he'd never been away. Meanwhile Cleo's sister Abbie has a problem of her own - husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she's determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage? The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places...
Cleo Quinn doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will's come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing's Hill and tormenting her as if he'd never been away. Meanwhile Cleo's sister Abbie has a problem of her own - husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she's determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage? The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
With Jill's last couple of books, I have felt that there was something lacking. Nothing actually *wrong* with them, per se - perfectly pleasant and engaging. For a new/debut author, brilliant. But with Jill we've come to expect more. One startling thing that popped up for me after reading Take A Chance On Me was the lack of memorability.
If you asked me, at a moment's notice, to talk about Nadia Knows Best, or Staying At Daisy's, or even The One You Really Want, I could practically recite dialogue verbatim, or remember exact scenes or laugh out loud (without even going back to the text) at a particular situation.
Literally one day after reading Take A Chance On Me (and Rumour Has It, for that matter), I could not remember a single thing...aside from the two main characters' names! Not a scene, not a dialogue, not a sparky bit of writing! I actually had to go back and reread it through once more, and even then it was a struggle to recall. This is not what should be happening with Jill Mansell! I *love* her books, so much so that each one is on pre-order and I wait desperately for the next. After Rumour Has It, I was willing to think it a fluke...but this latest too seems rushed and phoned it. If her name wasn't on the cover, I wouldn't believe it was hers.
Now, to stress, there is nothing actually wrong with it. Like previously stated, it is a perfectly nice - if bland - novel, with a few cute scenes and situations. But as much as I love Jill's clever interweaving of many different threads and multiple love stories, I have started to feel as if the novels become increasingly overcrowded. There are myriad threads explored here, at the expense of the two main characters, Johnny and Cleo, who barely get any build up (though a little back story and a few sparky situations) before their happy-ever-after. Not like Jay-Nadia or Daisy-Dev, who bounce off the page almost into real life.
I don't know what it is, but I really hope that Jill shakes it off and comes back to her natural style. The writing hasn't changed, but it does seem as if her heart isn't in it.
If you asked me, at a moment's notice, to talk about Nadia Knows Best, or Staying At Daisy's, or even The One You Really Want, I could practically recite dialogue verbatim, or remember exact scenes or laugh out loud (without even going back to the text) at a particular situation.
Literally one day after reading Take A Chance On Me (and Rumour Has It, for that matter), I could not remember a single thing...aside from the two main characters' names! Not a scene, not a dialogue, not a sparky bit of writing! I actually had to go back and reread it through once more, and even then it was a struggle to recall. This is not what should be happening with Jill Mansell! I *love* her books, so much so that each one is on pre-order and I wait desperately for the next. After Rumour Has It, I was willing to think it a fluke...but this latest too seems rushed and phoned it. If her name wasn't on the cover, I wouldn't believe it was hers.
Now, to stress, there is nothing actually wrong with it. Like previously stated, it is a perfectly nice - if bland - novel, with a few cute scenes and situations. But as much as I love Jill's clever interweaving of many different threads and multiple love stories, I have started to feel as if the novels become increasingly overcrowded. There are myriad threads explored here, at the expense of the two main characters, Johnny and Cleo, who barely get any build up (though a little back story and a few sparky situations) before their happy-ever-after. Not like Jay-Nadia or Daisy-Dev, who bounce off the page almost into real life.
I don't know what it is, but I really hope that Jill shakes it off and comes back to her natural style. The writing hasn't changed, but it does seem as if her heart isn't in it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am a HUGE Jill Mansell fan. Every February/March I anxiously await for my pre-ordered copy of her latest offering to be delivered. Not being British, many of my girlfriends had never heard of her, but I have converted many of them into fans as well after I passed around 'Rumor Has It' last year. I've loved all of her other ones too (too many to list, but 'An offer you cant refuse', 'Staying at Daisy's', 'Open House' and 'Nadia Know's best' stick out in my mind).
After plugging through 'Take a Chance on Me', I was left feeling really disappointed because I really wanted to and really tried to like it! As usual, the characters were charming, the male lead dashing, and there was lots of snappy conversation. However, the writing style made for a really messy, jumbling read! I don't know if its Jill's doing or her editors, but the style was incredibly distracting. There were barely any dialogue tags, so it wasn't a relaxing read because you had to figure out in other ways who was speaking. I don't recall any of her other books being like that, but that jumped out at me on the very first page. Also, I usually don't mind when a book is written from multiple viewpoints because it gives a reader insight into situations that aren't possible with one viewpoint. However, in this book, viewpoint would just switch halfway through a paragraph with no warning and it was SO confusing and abrupt! You had to stop reading and say 'wait a second...oh, ok' and then get back into the story which took some time. Finally, while the plot had the potential to be very interesting, it just wasn't that polished and fluid.
Anyways, being such a big fan, I will definitely still read her next book and just keep my fingers crossed that this was a one time fluke! If this is your first Jill Mansell book, please go back and read a couple of her other ones before forming your conclusion about her books and writing. Unfortunately, this one isn't a good example!!
After plugging through 'Take a Chance on Me', I was left feeling really disappointed because I really wanted to and really tried to like it! As usual, the characters were charming, the male lead dashing, and there was lots of snappy conversation. However, the writing style made for a really messy, jumbling read! I don't know if its Jill's doing or her editors, but the style was incredibly distracting. There were barely any dialogue tags, so it wasn't a relaxing read because you had to figure out in other ways who was speaking. I don't recall any of her other books being like that, but that jumped out at me on the very first page. Also, I usually don't mind when a book is written from multiple viewpoints because it gives a reader insight into situations that aren't possible with one viewpoint. However, in this book, viewpoint would just switch halfway through a paragraph with no warning and it was SO confusing and abrupt! You had to stop reading and say 'wait a second...oh, ok' and then get back into the story which took some time. Finally, while the plot had the potential to be very interesting, it just wasn't that polished and fluid.
Anyways, being such a big fan, I will definitely still read her next book and just keep my fingers crossed that this was a one time fluke! If this is your first Jill Mansell book, please go back and read a couple of her other ones before forming your conclusion about her books and writing. Unfortunately, this one isn't a good example!!
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have just finished reading the book and I LOVE it! Would have finished it earlier but have loads of assignments for uni to get done. Anyway, going off topic...
The reviewer before me has said that this book is a disappointment and I think that is a TOTALLY unfair comment. BUT everyone has rights to their own opinion. Personally, I love this book and I have read all of Jill Mansell's other books. My favourite being, 'Perfect Timing,' 'Sheer Mishief,' 'Nadia Knows Best,' 'Romour Has It,' and 'Millie's Fling.' Basically quite a few of them lol, and I have more favourites but can't list them!
So okay, this book may not be as good as the one before it, 'Rumour Has It,' but it is still a recommended read. Cleo's character is brilliant - like all of Mansell's characters, she is FUN and CHIRPY with a lot of WIT. And I LOVE Johnny! He's brillaint. Okay, I didn't feel such a huge budding romance between them like in 'Sheer Mischief' but that is a lot to live upto! - Come on! Janey and Guy were soooo awww!
Johnny LaVenture - Even his name is HOT - is gorgeous and is back from New York in Channing Hill's village to live in his later father's mansion of a house while he waits for buyers - because the last serious ones were discouraged by Cleo and they never came back! You see a little of their back story and how in their teens, Johnny was Cleo's tormentor and some of the tricks her played on her, I would cry my eyes out! Anyway, he's back and Cleo's seeing Will and of course he's too good to be true (read and find out). Cleo has a friend, Ash, who is radio presenter, not attractive in the looks department, but more than makes up for it with his personality - UNTIL that is of course he meets a girl who he fancies and then he can't seem to open his mouth, OR smile! It's quite funny and at the same time, agonising to read.
And okay, this book may not have as many laughs as much of her older ones, BUT Jill Mansell delivers! This is waaaay better that 'An Offer You Can't Refuse' which has been the only disappointing books of hers I've read. In this books, there are radio shows, adulterers, crushes, marriage problems, past coming back to hit you in the face, car crashes, returning ex-girlfriends and much more! Read the book!
A 8 OUT OF 10! Recommened this books for all Mansell readers and others who just love chick lit.
The reviewer before me has said that this book is a disappointment and I think that is a TOTALLY unfair comment. BUT everyone has rights to their own opinion. Personally, I love this book and I have read all of Jill Mansell's other books. My favourite being, 'Perfect Timing,' 'Sheer Mishief,' 'Nadia Knows Best,' 'Romour Has It,' and 'Millie's Fling.' Basically quite a few of them lol, and I have more favourites but can't list them!
So okay, this book may not be as good as the one before it, 'Rumour Has It,' but it is still a recommended read. Cleo's character is brilliant - like all of Mansell's characters, she is FUN and CHIRPY with a lot of WIT. And I LOVE Johnny! He's brillaint. Okay, I didn't feel such a huge budding romance between them like in 'Sheer Mischief' but that is a lot to live upto! - Come on! Janey and Guy were soooo awww!
Johnny LaVenture - Even his name is HOT - is gorgeous and is back from New York in Channing Hill's village to live in his later father's mansion of a house while he waits for buyers - because the last serious ones were discouraged by Cleo and they never came back! You see a little of their back story and how in their teens, Johnny was Cleo's tormentor and some of the tricks her played on her, I would cry my eyes out! Anyway, he's back and Cleo's seeing Will and of course he's too good to be true (read and find out). Cleo has a friend, Ash, who is radio presenter, not attractive in the looks department, but more than makes up for it with his personality - UNTIL that is of course he meets a girl who he fancies and then he can't seem to open his mouth, OR smile! It's quite funny and at the same time, agonising to read.
And okay, this book may not have as many laughs as much of her older ones, BUT Jill Mansell delivers! This is waaaay better that 'An Offer You Can't Refuse' which has been the only disappointing books of hers I've read. In this books, there are radio shows, adulterers, crushes, marriage problems, past coming back to hit you in the face, car crashes, returning ex-girlfriends and much more! Read the book!
A 8 OUT OF 10! Recommened this books for all Mansell readers and others who just love chick lit.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best book ever!!!
I have read most of Jill Mansell's books and this one is by FAR my favourite. The characters are incredible and the story is so sweet, yes the plot is obvious but I don't care it... Read more
Published 7 months ago by gardenofenglandbooks
A Good Read
This book for me was a good read however I have read so many Jill Mansell books that my expectations of her books are now very high and although I enjoyed this I didnt find it as... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ms. Zl Williamson
another great read
I've read all of Jill Mansell's books now and I can honestly say, none have disappointed. Yes, it's predictable but really, with this type of book, you're not looking for... Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. Burns
It's Jill Mansell.. Of course it was good
Bought it for holiday read... and i loved it!!.. admittedly not as funny as 'Rumour Has It' or sensitive as 'To The Moon And Back' but the story was engaging and i love how the... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Tehmeena
Take A Chance On This
Although the main story of the book follows young Cleo in her quest for love, I actually found that I was far more hooked by the story of her sister Abbie and the relationship... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Chloe S "Chick Lit Chloe"
Take a chance on me By Jill Mansell
I like Jill Mansell books light and easy reading, I am still reading "Take a chance on me" but have enjoyed what I have read so far.
Published 18 months ago by Daisy
2 stars for kindle edition and 2 stars for jill
What is wrong with this Kindle book for Ipad? It's my first kindle edition so I don't know if it's typical. Read more
Published 20 months ago by R. Cavedaschi
Perfect bed-time soporific
Cleo thinks she's found the ideal man in Will, a stark contrast to her childhood tormenter who is back in their home village... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Roman Clodia
Take a chance on me
I love Jill Mansell's books and I loved this one, no boring bits at all.
Published 21 months ago by Lu
Totally fantastic!!!
This book totally delivered when it came to my fiction craving. I love everything about Jill Mansell's novels, I've read them all - and this one didn't fail me! Read more
Published 21 months ago by kitty37
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